Pros: Jude Law is a fun tour guide. Great cinematography.
Cons: Raunchy subject matter. Leaves viewer with questions.
The Bottom Line: I can't recommend the film due to the subject matter. If you do see it, you will be treated to great cinematography presented through fun story-telling.
(1) Steven Soderbergh, I'm sorry for being the 1 millionth person to parody the title of your movie Sex, Lies, and Videotape.
(2) Why did I see Alfie on opening night? Because I was with three girls who are in love with Jude Law. If it had been my choice, we would've been watching Pixar's latest blockbuster hit.
(3) This is actually the beginning of the review. I want to give you an analogy that you can keep in the back of your mind throughout the entirety of this review. So, imagine a beautiful bag. It is so brightly colored that it almost glows. When people pass by this bag (say in a storefront window), they can't help but stare at it. But, people begin to notice a stench that fills the air around the bag. And upon closer inspection, they see that the bag is filled with poop. A beautiful bag hiding its hideous contents.
OK. Let's begin.
Alfie is a remake of a film of the same name starring Michael Caine. The original film is actually an adaptation of a play of the same name. For me, my first Alfie experience was last night.
In this film, Jude Law plays the title character. More than being the main character in the film, he is your narrator and guide (not unlike the play Broadway Bound). We are taken on a tour of Law's promiscuous lifestyle. He wants nothing to do with true love and commitment, but at the same time, he wants all the sex he can get.
"Can you smell that?"
Several stars play Alfie's various love interests. Among these are: Marisa Tomei, Susan Sarandon, Sienna Miller, Nia Long, and Jane Krakowski. Each of these actors give solid performances as they provide very separate and distinct relationships with the title character.
"I don't know where it's coming from, but it stinks!"
The film is very fun and fast paced. Law does an amazing job as he plays tour guide, talking to us the audience throughout the entire film. There is even one moment where he looks up at the audience as if to say something, but then thinks better of it and looks away creating a very funny moment.
"Maybe if I ignore it, it will go away."
The cinematography is great. For different parts of the film we are treated to different effects in order to tell the story in appropriate ways. The color of the film often mirrors Alfie's current mood. Heck, even street signs light up as a jubilant Alfie approaches.
"Oh, man! It's coming from the movie!"
As I was watching the film, I just couldn't fully enjoy it. While the film comes in a beautiful package, it is full of lurid subject matter. It does seek redemption at the end, but that doesn't entirely justify the 90 minutes of sex I had just watched.
I did appreciate the classic Alfie question: "What's it all about?" Unfortunately (in my opinion), the film doesn't provide the answer. I mean, if random sexual encounters do not bring satisfaction, what is life all about? Alfie doesn't have that answer for you.
I noticed as many audience members left the theater, they were complaining about the lack of conclusion or denouement. And maybe part of the problem is that they don't know "[What it's] all about" either.
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